Court victory for wife of Melksham right-to-die campaigner

Jane Nicklinson has been granted the right to appeal the decision which refused her permission to take over her husband’s right-to-die campaign.

Mrs Nicklinson, of Melksham, had gone before the Court of Appeal after the High Court refused to allow her to continue her husband Tony’s campaign to change the laws on assisted suicide.

Tony Nicklinson died at home in Melksham on August 22, a week after he lost his legal bid to end his own life. He was paralysed by a stroke in 2005.

Mrs Nicklinson said: “We are delighted with the decision; it’s a big start, though I expect there is a lot more still to come.

“I have only been given permission to pursue it being against Tony’s Article 8 rights, the second half of the case, for doctors to pursue a case without being charged of murder, is still ongoing.
“But this shows the Court of Appeal thinks we have a case.”

Since his death Jane and her daughters Lauren and Beth have continued to campaign to change the law on Tony’s behalf.

She said: “There is a huge amount of support out there, which helps to keep us going.”

The appeal is seen as an important test case on whether medical help can legally be provided to those seeking the right to die.